The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-08-13


on every side was not encouraging.
While the murder was regarded as a
shocking and brutal crime, it was
plain that the community did not re-
gret losing Jones.
"You see," said my landlord,
"while he he'd the appearance of be-
ing a clever, genial fellow, he was al
ways sticking his nose into every
body's business, and it is pretty well
known that he was a blackmailer.
The people had no confidence in him.
Why, sir, when he made the race for
mayor, Hayes beat him two to one."
"Hayes is popular. then ?"
"Of course he is. He is an honest.
big-hearted man, with saint for a
wife and two glorious daughters.
One of his girls is to marry our Con-
gresham next month. Hayes is
se!f-made man with no nonsense
about him. We call him the poor
mans friend. He is so kind-hearted
that he would not hurt a f1ea."
Half an hour later entered the Of
fee of the mayor and found his honor
alone.
1t was unnecessary for me to stoop
to any deception. AS soon as Col.
Hayes saw me he pronounced my
name.
II saw you once at Piedras Camp
in California;" he said, motioning
me to chair.
"You have a good memory" was
my reply,
ut is not better than yours. Your
eyes told me that you recognized
me-"
My plan before / left the hotel was
to call on the mayor and ask for in
formation concerning the town and
its prospects. 1t was, of course, my
intention to bring up the murder in
a casual way. I desired to see how
Hayes would look and act while dis
cussing it. But this prompt recogni-
tion embarrassed me.
"You were in town last week ?"
continued the mayor. looking me
straight in the face.
"Yes. l was detained here a few
hours"
II remember seeing you walking
up Main street with Jones. of the
Clarion"
He said this without a tremor.
"1t is pity that you told Jones
about that episode at Piedras camp"
Colonel Hayes eyed me calmly as
said this. and his manner was entire
ly unconcerned.
"Why should you think-w
81 simply put two and two togeth-
er." replied the mayor. "In fact,
you had no sooner left the town than
Jones sought private interview
with me. He wanted to borrow five
thousand dollars. and threw out a
hint about Piedras Camp that could
not be mistaken. Then he said that
he would call in forty eight hours for
a final answer. His untimely death
made it out of the question for him to
keep the appointment"
The mayor carelessly drummed on
his desk with his fingers.
"Yes. am sorry you told JONES'"
he resumed, in that clear, passionless
voice peculiar to him, "but you did
1t without thinking. There was no
malice in it. l knew all about you
in the old days. Your best friend,
Jack Black, was my chum for time.
1 saved Jacks life once, and he stuck
to me like a brother after that. l
know yon are thinking about that
horse scrape. / stole the animal no
doubt about that. But l was in a
tight place. l had to steal or starye,
and took the horse. l think have
made up for it since. My conscience
does not bother me-"
~ regretted telling JONES'" said,
"and extorted half promise from
him not to repeat it. 1 did not know
his true character"
II knew it was just that way" an
swered Hayes. II knew that Jack
Blacks old pard was too square a
man to injure fellow in nv situa-
tion. But it is all right now. Jones
is dead. and l am not afraid that the
story about the horse will ever come
out"
"Under the circumstances, sug-
gested. "it would be a terrible blow
to your family"
"Yes, and the man who would
hound me down and bring up that
old charge would deserve to be killed
like dog"
shuddered. Some body had been
killed like dog.
"Here L am talking about old
times" laughed the mayor. "with.